Reclamation Releases Final Environmental Documents for Recirculation of Recaptured Water Year 2012 San Joaquin River Restoration Program Interim Flows

Media Contact: Pete Lucero, 916-978-5100

For Release: April 03, 2012

The Bureau of Reclamation has released the Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (EA/FONSI) for the Recirculation of Recaptured Water Year (WY) 2012 San Joaquin River Restoration Program (SJRRP) Interim Flows.

Reclamation estimates that 20,000 to 80,000 acre-feet of recaptured Interim Flows (based on 90- and 50-percent exceedance levels) could be made available for recirculation back to Central Valley Project (CVP) Friant Division contractors as Class 1 or Class 2 supplies during WY 2012. (Class 2 is additional water, when available, beyond the firm amount of 800,000 acre-feet of Class 1 water.) The EA evaluates a maximum possible amount of up to 260,000 acre-feet. This recaptured water will be available at South-of-Delta facilities for direct delivery to the Friant Division or through transfers and exchanges between Friant contractors and non-Friant contractors.

The federal action would involve Reclamation entering into various delivery, transfer or exchange agreements to recirculate the recaptured water to the Friant and non-Friant contractors. The deliveries, transfers and exchanges would be completed through several potential mechanisms utilizing federal, state and local facilities. Friant contractors may transfer or exchange their water to other Friant or non-Friant contractors, not in excess of the existing non-Friant contractors’ CVP contract allocations.

The 2006 Stipulation of Settlement in NRDC, et al., v. Rodgers, et al., provides for the development of a recapture and recirculation plan as a part of the implementation of the SJRRP water management goal. The goal is to reduce or avoid adverse water supply impacts to all of the Friant Division long-term contractors that may result from the Interim Flows.

For additional information or to request a copy of the Final EA/FONSI, please contact Margaret Gidding at 916-978-5461 (TTY 800-735-2922) or mgidding@usbr.gov. Copies of the Final EA/FONSI may also be viewed at Reclamation’s South-Central California Area Office, 1243 N Street, Fresno, CA 93721 (559-487-5041). For more information about the SJRRP, please visit www.restoresjr.net.

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Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States, with operations and facilities in the 17 Western States. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit our website at www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR.